Uncertainty managing patients treated with antiresorptive drugs: a cross-sectional study of attitudes and self-reported behavior among dentists in Sweden

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the level of knowledge and attitudes among Swedish general dentists regarding the behavior and management of patients treated with bisphosphonates and denosumab

Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 656 dentists. The web-based survey included questions on demographics, risk perception of osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ), the experience of managing patients treated with bisphosphonates and denosumab and requests to acquire new knowledge. Independence and associations were tested using Fisher’s exact test and the chi-square test function.

Results: The overall response rate was 57.6%. Most of the dentists, 69.7%, had been in the profession for more than 5 years. The criteria for ONJ were not known by 43.2% and 86.9% did not feel comfortable with their current level of knowledge when managing the patients in question. The rest of the respondents felt uncertain and more than 70% were unaware of the different stages of ONJ, when to refer a patient to a specialist and when to prescribe antibiotics.

Conclusion: Dentists practicing in Sweden express a strong need for an improved level of knowledge when managing patients treated with bisphosphonates and denosumab. The results demonstrate a need for the necessary advancement of education and clinical training at dental schools in order to prepare dentists to provide safe, modern care within the healthcare sector.